CHAP. II.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

147

south angle of the Delta, and there was only acanal between them and the Moslems at Mansourah.No mistake. It was the identical scene of Brienne’sgreat disaster. The Turkish opinion being that,if the crusaders passed the canal, they would in-fallibly take Cairo or entire Egypt, there was to bea decisive battle; and they might expect the fullresistance of the Moslems. Many days were lost inendeavours to make a mound across; tremendousexertions on both sides. The Greek fire from tubesof brass was horrible; and St. Louis, so fearless forhimself, used to walk about praying and weepingat every explosion, in agonies, not knowing whereit would fall: “ Merciful Lord, protect this my poorhost! ” 1 Though often Turkish skirmishers cameover to assail them, and returned before their faces,the misguided crusaders appear never to havethought it possible for their own army to havedone the same. Were there not thoughts (if menof such inflamed and swollen eyes had then time to

think) which went back to what once seemed

' 1250

unquiet Palestine? But it at that very day

was quiet enough, since here is a document in 1250

concerning a church then building at Mount

Thabor. 2 At last a Mahometan deserter told them

1 Michaud : Hist., iv. 204.

8 Cod. Dipl. Geros., Num. exxii., i. 140.

L 2